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Pharrell Williams is facing a new lawsuit from his former Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, who claims he was improperly cut out of their shared business interests and is owed significant compensation tied to an N.E.R.D. album.
According to the filing, Hugo alleges Pharrell engaged in self-dealing, concealed key financial information, and diverted revenue that should have been shared. The lawsuit claims the actions were “willful, fraudulent, and malicious,” and asserts that Hugo has not received his rightful share of royalties from The Neptunes or N.E.R.D., including income from album sales, touring, and merchandise.
Hugo also says he has repeatedly requested access to financial records since 2021, but those requests were either ignored or met with incomplete disclosures. His legal team argues that this pattern amounts to a breach of the operating agreement governing their business relationship. The lawsuit estimates damages between $325,000 and $575,000, with potential damages exceeding $750,000 to $1 million.
In addition to financial claims, the suit highlights Hugo’s creative contributions, stating that he served as a principal composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, while Pharrell more often took on the public-facing role. The case adds a serious legal chapter to one of hip-hop’s most influential creative partnerships.
